John Salamone & Ray Beck presents the winners of the event to the crowd, flanked by their Fishing Coach and Boat Captain. Brendon Reavis & Dillon Harrel took 1st place with 20.92 lbs
Photo by Patty Lenderman, Lakecaster

With a mere four events under their belts, the Southeast Texas High School Fishing Association now boasts of 31 schools registered to participate in their regional events. On March 30, 2014 twenty nine schools were represented in 230 teams registered to compete. Corrigan Camden High School came on strong in the final standings, having four teams landing in the payback line, including the winners of the tournament Brendon Reavis & Dillon Harrel, weighing in 20.92 lbs.Weather-wise it was the best tournament day the newly formed association had seen with temperatures rising to just over 70 degrees with light, but variable wind throughout the day. Nearly every angler proudly sported their fishing jerseys that not only showcased the school they were representing, but many of the sponsors helping them out as well.

The stage was set and all workers and volunteers were manning their stations for the influx of anglers, as the cut off time for fishing was at 2pm. Lew's Fishing Tackle, Costa Del Mar sunglasses, and Farmers Insurance all had booths with product or services, the Association had T-Shirts for sale and held a raffle for the scholarship fund. Several professional anglers were also on hand to talk to the kids and give them fishing and career advice.

Once teams began coming in, the leaders were designated to sit in the 'Hot Seats' just off the stage, until another team beat their weight. John Salamone emceed the event partnered with weigh master Ray Beck at the stage. They hustled the masses through the weigh in line, getting fish back into the lake as quickly as possible. Several times before the scales officially closed, the occupants of the hot seats changed hands.

When it was all said and done, it was Brendon Reavis & Dillon Harrell of Corrigan Camden who championed the event. Fishing in areas with coon tail florae, they caught their fish on Spro frogs. We caught our first fish on the third cast - it was our biggest, 5.34 lbs", the team reported. Within seven minutes, they added a four pounder to their creel. By 8:45 they had the limit that ultimately landed a 1st place win for them. The association presented them a $1,500 check for their school club, plus they each received a new Lew's rod & reel combo and entries into the Big Bass Splash in April. "We would like to thank Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, and our boat captain, who also happens to be my Ag teacher and my girlfriend's dad, for taking us out today. We would also like to say thank you to everyone who helps put this tournament together, and all of the sponsors that help make it happen."

LCM anglers Bryce Rambo and Trent Manuel held onto the hotseats for quite a while after bringing in their 19.36 lb limit. Using swim baits for their catch, they captured a 2nd place win that included a 6.99 lb kicker. They won $1,100 for their school club, Lew's rod & reel combo's and entries into the Big Bass Splash. They thanked Bryce's dad Cory Rambo for being their boat captain, and the support of their families, sponsors and friends.

There were several nice bass brought into the scales, but the biggest one of the tournament weighed in at 7.23 lbs, caught by Bryce Perry and Paten Collins of LCM. He reported making this catch using a wacky worm.

Several sponsors donated to the Exact 3.00 weight bonus, an optional $5 side pot for participants. Farmers Insurance manned the scale for those who wanted to try for this bonus, worth $650 at this event. Coming as close as 2.99 lbs, no one made the mark. The bonus will continue to grow as it is carried over to the next event.